Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre celebrates 30 years of family business, arts and community
The Floridant/10244519

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Floridant -- Fort Myers' first dinner theatre company, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking over three decades of Broadway-caliber performances, exceptional service and community impact.

Broadway Palm is a family-owned and operated dinner theatre co-founded by Will Prather and his parents, Debbie and the late Tom Prather, who founded the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1987. Six years later, the Prather family opened Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers, bringing Broadway-style shows and quality dining to Florida's Gulf Coast. Breathing new life into an old Publix Supermarket, Broadway Palm made its debut in October 1993, transforming a 36,000-square-foot space into Fort Myers' first dinner theatre company.

Now a second-generation business, the premier dinner theatre has grown substantially through Prather Productions. The family production company runs Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre and Prather Touring, an international touring division that brings productions across the world.

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Today, Broadway Palm stands as a testament to the Prather family's vision and hard work, becoming a cornerstone for the region's arts and culture scene. Completing its 30^th season, the theatre entertains over 170,000 guests annually and employs 175 people. Each year, the theatre produces more than eight main stage shows, four children's productions and more than 200 community functions, including business meetings, seminars, fundraisers and special events.

Serving as a source of economic growth in Southwest Florida, Broadway Palm has generated jobs, attracted tourism and stimulated local businesses. Its success is particularly notable given that it is the only self-funded theatre in town, maximizing growth without the support of investors, grants or other outside funding. A feat that speaks volumes about the company's commitment, financial prudence and high quality of productions.

Beyond theatre, serving the community has been at the forefront of Broadway Palm over the past 30 years – from sponsoring local sports teams and charity events to hosting fundraisers and contributing in-kind donations. It has also served as an anchor in the community through challenging times, providing food, water and essential supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as Hurricanes Irma and Ian.

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Located in the Royal Palm Square Mall, Broadway Palm is excited to be part of the planned redevelopment of the center with the mall's recent change in ownership. The dinner theatre will continue its long-term tenancy as the property transforms into a mixed-use community, centered around cultural arts and quality of life.

To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Broadway Palm is kicking off the Tony Award-winning musical, Hairspray, Broadway Palm's biggest national show to date. For more information, visit BroadwayPalm.com.